( Editor’s Note: I’ve been hearing more people think they should plant a garden due to the increase in food prices. Murial wrote for the Mountaineer for many years and we thought it would be fun to honor her and reread her articles about gardening.)
Perennials aren’t as critical to choose. You may want to plant them to enjoy for a year or two, and the investment isn’t so great. There are lots of perennials that will live and become larger and more beautiful every year and are perfectly hardy in our cold climate.
When selecting trees, shrubs, and perennials, always keep in mind their mature size. This is crucial for planning your garden layout. Trees and shrubs can be used to fill in spaces until they reach their full size, and a few well-chosen plants can transform a small lot. By considering the mature size, you’ll be better prepared for the future growth of your garden.
Directions for cleaning garden tools for Spring: Use a bucket with hot water and liquid dish soap to create a bubble bath for your meta tools, such as spades, pruners, weeders, and trowels. Scrub off stubborn rust with steel wool or scrubbing. Take the tools out of the bath and let them dry. Sharpen blades with a metal file and cover them with 3 in 1 oil to protect them from corrosion.
If wooden handles have chips or splinters, sand them smooth and rub them with linseed oil with a soft cloth.
Fill a bucket with sand and a quart of vegetable oil. Chuck each tool up and down in the oil and sand five or six times. The sand will condition the blade and help prevent future rusting. To preserve your hands, use gloves with wooden handles. Save and cover the bucket for use again in the fall, next Spring, and during the summer as needed.
